Furniture and toy construction

ABSTRACT

A knockdown furniture and toy construction is disclosed wherein the components may be assembled into an orientation for easy storage. Arcuate members are embraced by a top and bottom member so as to form a container of some of the components of the furniture with slotted connector members and other arcuate members disposed within the container. The arcuate members and the connector members are releasably interconnected to form the furniture.

United States Patent Rosenfeld [54] FURNITURE AND TOY CONSTRUCTION [72] Inventor: Michael Rosenfeld, 371 Harvard St., Cambridge, Mass. 0213 8 [22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 868,493

[52] US. Cl ..46/l4 [5| Int. Cl. ..A63h 3/52 [58] Field of Search ..297/DIG, 2, 457, 445, 17, 118,

297/440, 444; 52/590, 594; 46/] l; 206/DIG. 9

[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS Thaden ..297 )IG. 2

[ Feb. 15, 1972 2,940,513 6/1960 Holden ..297/457 Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever AttorneySeidel, Gonda & Goldhammer [5 7] ABSTRACT A knockdown furniture and toy construction is disclosed wherein the components may be assembled into an orientation for easy storage. Arcuate members are embraced by a top and bottom member so as to form a container of some of the components of the furniture with slotted connector members and other arcuate members disposed within the container. The arcuate members and the connector members are releasably interconnected to form the furniture.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDFEB 15 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR M/CHAfL ROSENFELD A TTORNEYS.

PATENTEDFEBIS m2 3.641.701

SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG. 4

/NVE/V7'OR MICHAEL ROSENFEL D A TTORNEYS FURNITURE AND TOY CONSTRUCTION The present invention is directed to knockdown furniture and toy construction. The components are made from paperboard, plastic or other lightweight materials. Preferably, the materials will be relatively inexpensive. The components are adapted to be assembled into the form of a container for storage. The container is formed by top and bottom members which frictionally embrace the inner and outer surface of arcuate members which are generally semicylindrical.

The arcuate members may be interconnected in various configurations by means of slotted connector members to form the furniture. The furniture is primarily for use by children. The furniture may also be used by adults depending upon the scale and strength of materials utilized. In one furniture configuration, two arcuate members are releasably interconnected and support either the top member or bottom member so as to form a table. Other configurations which can be made include chairs, hassocks, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel furniture construction utilizing members which may be assembled into the form of a container for purposes of storage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a knockdown furniture construction involving components which may be assembled into various configurations simulating tables, chairs, hassocks, etc.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the furniture construction of the present invention assembled into the form ofa container;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating a different type of top;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a table formed from some of the components illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a chair formed from some of the components shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a chair and hassock formed from some ofthe components shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. I a perspective view of a container utilizing the furniture construction of the present invention designated generally as 10. The container includes all of the components of the present invention so that they may be easily stored and thereby prevent the components from becoming lost, damaged, scattered by children, etc.

The container 10 includes a top member 12 and a bottom member I4 which embrace arcuate members 24 and 26 to retain the components in an assembled relationship simulating a container. Within the thusly formed container, there are provided arcuate members 16, 18, and 22 as well as connector members 32, 34 and 36. While three connector members are shown, it is to be expressly understood that the container 10 may include either a plurality of types or only one type of connector. It is preferred to supply connector 36 when only one type of connector is provided.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the top member 10 is provided with a channel lip 28 while the bottom member 12 is provided with a channel lip 30. Each of the arcuate members described above is semicylindrical and made from a material such as corrugated paperboard which may be coated with a water-repellent material, such as wax, oil, paint, etc. Heavier more expensive materials may be utilized depending upon the final use to be made of the constructed article. It will be noted that in the assembled relationship as shown in FIG. 4, the arcuate members 20 and 22 overlie the arcuate members 16 and 18. The combined height of arcuate members 18 and 22, for example, is not greater than the height of arcuate member 26 as will be apparent from FIG. 4.

Referring to connector member 32, it will be noted that it is cylindrical and has a pair of slots 38 diametrically opposite a pair of slots 40. The slots 38 and 40 have a width corresponding to the thickness of arcuate members 16-26. Member 32 also has slots 42 and 44 diametrically opposite one another. Slots 42 and 44 have a width which is twice the width of slots 38 and 40. All of the slots on member 32 are at one end thereof and have a length approximately equal to one-half the length of member 32. However, the length of the slots may be varied as desired.

Referring to connector member 36, it will be noted that it is identical with connector member 32 except as follows. On member 36, slots 46 and 48 are provided at one end and slots corresponding to slots 38 and 40 are provided at the other end. Slots 46 and 48 are identical with slots 42 and 44.

Connector element 34 is slotted at both ends in the same manner that the upper end of member 32 is slotted. However, the corresponding slots on the ends of member 34 are 45 out of phase.

Referring to FIG. 5, arcuate members 16 and 18 are coupled together at their midportions by a connector member 36. The portions of the arcuate members 16 and 18 are received in the slots 38 and 40. Another connector member can be used for the opposite edges of said arcuate members. The bottom member 14 rests on the upper ends of members 16 and 18 thereby forming a table.

In FIG. 6, there is illustrated a chair formed from top member 12 which is supported by arcuate members 20 and 22. Arcuated member 16 forms the chair back.

In FIG. 7, there is illustrated a lounge chair and hassock. The lounge chair is comprised of arcuate members 16 and 26 coupled together by the connector member 32. Member 16 is received by one slot of each of the pairs of slots 38 and 40. Member 26 is received by the mating slot of each of the pairs of slots 38 and 40. Hence, the midportions of members 16 and 26 are not in contact with each other. The members 16 and 26 are in contact along the midpoint of connector member 34, as shown. The hassock is formed by supporting the free ends of arcuate member 18 on connector members 34.

Other arcuate-shaped members may be included within the container 10. I prefer to provide a pair of each of the connector members. The connector members are preferably shorter in axial length as compared with their diameter. I prefer to use connector members which are 6 inches in diameter and 5 inches in length. The overall height of container 10 may be 15 inches with its diameter being 20 inches.

In FIG. 3, the embodiment designated 10' is the same as that described above except that the top member 12' is formed in two parts designated 50 and 52 connected together by hinge 54. In this embodiment, part 52 may be pivoted to the phantom position shown to permit access to the connector members and the arcuate members corresponding to members 16 and 18 without disassembling the container. Bottom member 30 may also be formed in two parts hinged together in a manner identical to top member 12. In this embodiment, the container 10 may be packaged as a semicylinder with a retaining member or sheet over the face of the semicylinder to ensure that all the parts will remain in the semicylinder.

It is also possible to eliminate the necessity for the connector members in the construction of various articles. This may be accomplished by providing locking means in the arcuate members. The locking means may comprise slots provided in the outer peripheries of the arcuate members to facilitate interengagement of the arcuate members.

The present invention may be used as an educational toy for teaching geometrical figures, abstract design, spatial imagination. Also, it may be used as a practical toy for children desiring to make the furniture to be used while playing house and other games. The strength of the materials, weight of the materials, dimensions, etc., may be varied as desired without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

lclaim:

1. Furniture construction comprising arcuate members, a top member embracing one end of said arcuate members and a bottom member embracing the other end of said arcuate members thereby forming a container, connector members and other arcuate members in the container, said connector members having slots on at least one end thereof, said slots in said connector members having a width which is a whole number multiple of the thickness of said arcuate members, whereby at least two of said arcuate members may be assembled so as to extend through at least one of said slots to form at least a part of an article of furniture.

2. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connector members are hollow cylinders.

3. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are made of paperboard.

4. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector members are cylindrical, and some of said connector members having slots at both ends.

5. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein some of said slots have a width approximately equal to the thickness of said arcuate members with other slots having a width twice the approximate thickness of said arcuate member.

6. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector members are cylindrical, said arcuate members are semicylindrical, and said connector members having a diameter greater than their axial length.

7. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slots have a length approximately equal to onehalf the axial length of said connector members.

8. Furniture construction comprising a plurality of arcuate members at least some of which are semicylindrical, connecting means for interconnecting said arcuate members, said connecting means including slots on at least one end, said slots in said connecting means having a width which is a whole number multiple of the thickness of said arcuate members, some of said slots being twice as wide as other slots, whereby said arcuate members may be assembled so as to extend through some of said slots to form at least a part of an article of furniture.

9. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes cylindrical connector members, some of said connector members have slots on both ends, said slots having a length approximately equal to onehalf the axial length of said connector members.

10. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of said connector members has a diameter greater than its axial length. 

1. Furniture construction comprising arcuate members, a top member embracing one end of said arcuate members and a bottom member embracing the other end of said arcuate members thereby forming a container, connector members and other arcuate members in the container, said connector members having slots on at least one end thereof, said slots in said connector members having a width which is a whole number multiple of the thickness of said arcuate members, whereby at least two of said arcuate members may be assembled so as to extend through at least one of said slots to form at least a part of an article of furniture.
 2. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connector members are hollow cylinders.
 3. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are made of paperboard.
 4. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector members are cylindrical, and some of said connector members having slots at both ends.
 5. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein some of said slots have a width approximately equal to the thickness of said arcuate members with other slots having a width twice the approximate thickness of said arcuate member.
 6. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector members are cylindrical, said arcuate members are semicylindrical, and said connector members having a diameter greater than their axial length.
 7. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slots have a length approximately equal to one-half the axial length of said connector members.
 8. Furniture construction comprising a plurality of arcuate members at least some of which are semicylindrical, connecting means for interconnecting said arcuate members, said connecting means including slots on at least one end, said slots in said connecting means having a width which is a whole number multiple of the thickness of said arcuate members, some of said slots being twice as wide as other slots, whereby said arcuate members may be assembled so as to extend through some of said slots to form at least a part of an article of furniture.
 9. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes cylindrical connector members, some of said connector members have slots on both ends, said slots having a length approximately equal to one-half the axial length of said connector members.
 10. Furniture construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of said connector members has a diameter greater than its axial length. 